Worcestershire business coaching programme
Are you a Worcestershire based business owner or sole trader who has been trading for less than 3 years?
You may be eligible for up to 10 hours FULLY FUNDED one to one business coaching with an award winning coach.
Scroll on for more information and to start your application!
This programme is part- funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
Worcestershire County Council is part-funding, delivering, and managing this project on behalf of the Worcestershire District Councils (Bromsgrove District Council, Malvern Hills District Council, Redditch Borough Council, Worcester City Council, Wychavon District Council, and Wyre Forest District Council).
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.
For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus
What is Business Coaching?
Business coaching provided by RWC is best described as one to one coaching mixed with planning, facilitation, and space for mentoring.
But what does that really mean in practice?
Your coach will carefully question you to identify your goals.
Your coach will use their facilitation skills to help you map out areas where you aren't clear.
Your coach will use their experience and knowledge to throw ideas into the mix when it comes to exploring your options.
Your coach will use their planning skills to help you come up with realistic and easily implementable plans, increasing focus and reducing overwhelm.
Your coach will help you identify areas you may want to seek specialist support.
Your coach will coach you through blockers.
Your coach will hold you accountable.
You decide your actions.
You do the graft.
You see the results.
Business coaching involves a collaborative and personalised approach where the coach works with you to identify goals, challenges, and areas for improvement, they will then meet with you fortnightly to help you to keep accountable and focused on your goal!
The coaching relationship is built on trust, confidentiality, and a commitment to your growth and success.
It's important to note that business coaching is distinct from consulting. While consultants often provide expert advice and solutions, business coaches focus on empowering clients to discover their own solutions and strategies through guided introspection, skill development, and goal-oriented actions.
How does the programme work?
If you are registered in Worcester City you will receive a 2 hour blitz, and 2 x 60 minute coaching sessions.
If you are registered anywhere else in Worcestershire, you will receive a 2 hour blitz, and up to 8 x 60 minute coaching sessions. The difference in allocated hours is based on the funding from each district. Sessions are run fortnightly.
You will be matched with a coach to best suit your goals and preferred ways of working during your onboarding session. We have face to face and online options available.
You will complete a Business Strength Analyser Report at the start and end of your coaching to help identify strengths, weaknesses and focuses.
You will access the RWC Growth Club for the duration of the support which gives you access to meet ups, goal setting sessions, group coaching, community chat and resources, all on top of your one to one support!
Meet the coaches
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Esther Partridge Warner
Head Coach
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Christina Lynch
Business Growth Coach
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Tor Saint
Business Growth Coach
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Gary Hopkins
Business Growth Coach
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Sophie Weller
Business Growth Coach
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Vicky Hoey
Business Growth Coach
How can this business coaching help?
Here are some common goal areas previous participants have worked with us on throughout the programme:
Gaining new clients/ customers
Increasing turnover
More focus and structured planning
Creating a more consistent/secure pipeline
Getting clarity of services/ products
Moving in to a new market/diversifying
Confidence as a business owner
Growing a team
Strategy for growth
Shift from consultant to business owner
The average change in maturity score for businesses who were on the last Business Coaching Programme was an increase of 55%.
Could you be next?
Submit your initial application here
What happens once you click submit?
1. We will check your high level eligibility, and as long as you hit the criteria we will hand you over to Worcestershire County Council (WCC) to apply in full. (we will drop you an email to let you know that we have handed you over)
2. The team at WCC will send you a link to their online portal to apply in full
2. WCC will review your application (this can take a few days so don’t worry if you don’t hear anything straight away)
3. WCC will come back with any queries/ approval or rejection
4. If approved you will be sent an offer letter to sign
5. Once your offer letter is signed you will be passed back to RWC to get onboarded and we can get you booked in for your coaching.
apply here
FAQ’s
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If you are working with us for 4 hours your programme will be up to 6 weeks long.
If you are working with us for 10 hours you will be working with us for up to 18 weeks.
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If you are a registered business who has registered within 3 years you will likely only need to provide your company number.
Similarly, if you are self employed and have only regsitered for a UTR number within the last 3 years you will likely only need to provide your UTR letter from HMRC.
If you have been trading less than 3 years, but registered your business before this date with companies house, you may be asked to provide evidence of your accounts.
If you trade in Worcestershire but your business address is registered outside of the county, i.e with an accountant, you may be asked to provide a business rates letter, or a bank account letter.
WCC will work with you to let you know what you need to provide.
